Minutes of Proceedings

No. 02-11/12

The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair

1. Personal Prayer or Meditation

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Assembly Business

2.1 Royal Assent

The Speaker informed Members that Royal Assent had been signified on 29 March 2011 to the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011; the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011; the Assembly Members (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011; and the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

The Speaker advised Members that Royal Assent had been signified on 3 May 2011 to the Sunbeds Act (Northern Ireland) 2011; the Civil Registration Act (Northern Ireland) 2011; the High Hedges Act (Northern Ireland) 2011; and the Housing (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

The Speaker also informed Members that Royal Assent had been signified on 4 May 2011 to the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011; the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011; the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011; and the Single Use Carrier Bags Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

The Speaker advised Members that Royal Assent had also been signified on 9 May 2011 to the Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

The Speaker advised Members that the Damages (Asbestos-Related Conditions) Bill had been referred to the Supreme Court by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland.

2.2 Motion - Suspension of Standing Orders

Proposed:

That Standing Order 20(1) be suspended for 16 May 2011.

Mr P WeirMs C Ní ChuilínMr J McCallisterMr P RamseyMr S Dickson

The Question being put, the Motion was carried with cross-community support nemine contradicente.

3. Appointment of Ministers

The Rt Hon Peter Robinson, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr Sammy Wilson to be Minister of Finance and Personnel.

Mr Sammy Wilson affirmed the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Sammy Wilson as Minister of Finance and Personnel.

Mr Martin McGuinness, the nominating officer for Sinn Féin, nominated Mr John O’Dowd to be Minister of Education.

Mr John O’Dowd affirmed the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr John O’Dowd as Minister of Education.

The Rt Hon Peter Robinson, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mrs Arlene Foster to be Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

Mrs Arlene Foster affirmed the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mrs Arlene Foster as Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

Mr Danny Kennedy affirmed the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Danny Kennedy as Minister for Regional Development.

Mrs Michelle O’Neill affirmed the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mrs Michelle O’Neill as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Ms Margaret Ritchie, the nominating officer for the Social Democratic and Labour Party, nominated Mr Alex Attwood to be Minister of the Environment.

Mr Alex Attwood affirmed the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Alex Attwood as Minister of the Environment.

The Rt Hon Peter Robinson, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr Nelson McCausland to be Minister for Social Development.

Mr Nelson McCausland affirmed the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Nelson McCausland as Minister for Social Development.

Ms Carál Ní Chuilín affirmed the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Ms Carál Ní Chuilín as Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

The Rt Hon Peter Robinson, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr Edwin Poots to be Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

Mr Edwin Poots affirmed the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Edwin Poots as Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

Mr David Ford, the nominating officer for the Alliance party, nominated Dr Stephen Farry to be Minister for Employment and Learning.

Dr Stephen Farry affirmed the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Dr Stephen Farry as Minister for Employment and Learning.

The Speaker informed the House that he had received correspondence from the First Minister and deputy First Minister advising that, pursuant to the procedure for the appointment of junior Ministers specified in paragraph 3(1) of the determination made by the then First Minister and deputy First Minister on 8 December 1999, as approved by the Assembly on 14 December 1999, Mr Jonathan Bell MLA and Ms Martina Anderson MLA have been appointed as junior Ministers in the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

Mr Jonathan Bell and Ms Martina Anderson each affirmed the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Jonathan Bell and Ms Martina Anderson as junior Ministers.

The Question being put, the Nomination was approved by parallel consent(Division 4).

Mr David Ford affirmed the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Speaker confirmed that Mr David Ford has taken up office as Minister of Justice.

The sitting was suspended at 1.30pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.30pm, with the Speaker in the Chair.

5. Assembly Business (Cont’d)

5.1 Motion - Establishment of Statutory Committees

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Orders 46 and 47, this Assembly determines that 12 Statutory Committees shall be established, as follows:

the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development;

the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure;

the Committee for Education;

the Committee for Employment and Learning;

the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment;

the Committee for the Environment;

the Committee for Finance and Personnel;

the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety;

the Committee for Justice;

the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister;

the Committee for Regional Development;

the Committee for Social Development.

Terms of reference, quorum and composition of the Committees shall be as prescribed in Standing Orders 48 and 49.

Mr P WeirMs C Ní ChuilínMr J McCallisterMr P RamseyMr S Dickson

The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.

5.2 Appointment of Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of Statutory Committees

The Speaker outlined the procedure for the appointment of Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of Statutory Committees.

The Rt Hon Peter Robinson, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr Paul Givan to be Chairperson of the Committee for Justice. Mr Paul Givan indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Paul Givan as Chairperson of the Committee for Justice.

Mr Martin McGuinness, the nominating officer for Sinn Féin, nominated Mr Conor Murphy to be Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel. Mr Conor Murphy indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Conor Murphy as Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel.

The Rt Hon Peter Robinson, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr Mervyn Strorey to be Chairperson of the Committee for Education. Mr Mervyn Storey indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Mervyn Storey as Chairperson of the Committee for Education.

Mr Tom Elliott, the nominating officer for the Ulster Unionist Party, nominated himself to be Chairperson of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister. Mr Tom Elliott indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Tom Elliott as Chairperson of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

Mr Martin McGuinness, the nominating officer for Sinn Féin, nominated Ms Michelle Gildernew to be Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Ms Michelle Gildernew indicated her agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Ms Michelle Gildernew as Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

Ms Margaret Ritchie, the nominating officer for the Social Democratic and Labour Party, nominated Mr Alban Maginness to be Chairperson of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment. Mr Alban Maginness indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Alban Maginness as Chairperson of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

The Rt Hon Peter Robinson, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr Paul Frew to be Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development. Mr Paul Frew indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Paul Frew as Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Mr Martin McGuinness, the nominating officer for Sinn Féin, nominated Mr Alex Maskey to be Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development. Mr Alex Maskey indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Alex Maskey as Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development.

The Rt Hon Peter Robinson, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Miss Michelle McIlveen to be Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure. Miss Michelle McIlveen indicated her agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Miss McIlveen as Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure.

Mr David Ford, the nominating officer for the Alliance Party, nominated Ms Anna Lo to be Chairperson of the Committee for the Environment. Ms Anna Lo indicated her agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Ms Anna Lo as Chairperson of the Committee for the Environment.

Mr Tom Elliott, the nominating officer for the Ulster Unionist Party, nominated Mr Basil McCrea to be Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning. Mr Basil McCrea indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Basil McCrea as Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning.

The Rt Hon Peter Robinson, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr Jimmy Spratt to be Chairperson of the Committee for Regional Development. Mr Jimmy Spratt indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Jimmy Spratt as Chairperson of the Committee for Regional Development.

Mr Martin McGuinness, the nominating officer for Sinn Féin, nominated Mr Raymond McCartney to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Justice. Mr Raymond McCartney indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Raymond McCartney as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Justice.

Ms Margaret Ritchie, the nominating officer for the Social Democratic and Labour Party, nominated Mrs Dolores Kelly to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development. Mrs Dolores Kelly indicated her agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mrs Dolores Kelly as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Rt Hon Peter Robinson, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr Simon Hamilton to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for the Environment. Mr Simon Hamilton indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Simon Hamilton as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for the Environment.

Mr Martin McGuinness, the nominating officer for Sinn Féin, nominated Mr Daithí McKay to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment. Mr Daithí McKay indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Daithí McKay as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

The Rt Hon Peter Robinson, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr Thomas Buchanan to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning. Mr Thomas Buchanan indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Thomas Buchanan as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning.

Mr Tom Elliott, the nominating officer for the Ulster Unionist Party, nominated Mr David McNarry to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Education. Mr David McNarry indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr David McNarry as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Education.

Mr Martin McGuinness, the nominating officer for Sinn Féin, nominated Mr Pat Doherty to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Regional Development. Mr Pat Doherty indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Pat Doherty as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Regional Development.

The Rt Hon Peter Robinson, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr William Irwin to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure. Mr William Irwin indicated his agreement to accept the nomination via written notification.

The Speaker advised Members that he had received a letter from Mr William Irwin and confirmed his appointment as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure.

Ms Margaret Ritchie, the nominating officer for the Social Democratic and Labour Party, nominated Mr Dominic Bradley as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel. Mr Dominic Bradley indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Dominic Bradley as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel.

The Rt Hon Peter Robinson, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr Jim Wells to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Mr Jim Wells indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Jim Wells as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

Mr Martin McGuinness, the nominating officer for Sinn Féin, nominated Mr Mickey Brady to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development. Mr Mickey Brady indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Mickey Brady as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development.

Mr David Ford, the nominating officer for the Alliance Party, nominated Mr Chris Lyttle to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister. Mr Chris Lyttle indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Chris Lyttle as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

5.3 Appointment of Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of Standing Committees

The Speaker outlined the procedure for the appointment of Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of Standing Committees.

The Rt Hon Peter Robinson, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr Stephen Moutray to be Chairperson of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee. Mr Stephen Moutray indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Stephen Moutray as Chairperson of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee.

Mr Martin McGuinness, the nominating officer for Sinn Féin, nominated Mr Paul Maskey to be Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee. Mr Paul Maskey indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Paul Maskey as Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee.

The Rt Hon Peter Robinson, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr Alastair Ross to be Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges. Mr Alastair Ross indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Alastair Ross as Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges.

Mr Tom Elliott, the nominating officer for the Ulster Unionist Party, nominated Mr Danny Kinahan to be Chairperson of the Audit Committee. Mr Danny Kinahan indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Danny Kinahan as Chairperson of the Audit Committee.

Mr Martin McGuinness, the nominating officer for Sinn Féin, nominated Ms Sue Ramsey to be Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures. Ms Sue Ramsey indicated her agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Ms Sue Ramsey as Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures.

Ms Margaret Ritchie, the nominating officer for the Social Democratic and Labour Party, nominated Mr Joe Byrne as Deputy Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee. Mr Joe Byrne indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Joe Byrne as Deputy Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee.

The Rt Hon Peter Robinson, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr Trevor Clarke to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures. Mr Trevor Clarke indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Trevor Clarke as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Pat Sheehan as Deputy Chairperson of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee.

The Rt Hon Peter Robinson, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr David Hilditch to be Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee. Mr David Hilditch indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr David Hilditch as Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee.

Mr David Ford, the nominating officer of the Alliance party, nominated Mr Kieran McCarthy to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges. Mr Kieran McCarthy indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Kieran McCarthy as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges.

6. Private Members’ Business

6.1 Motion - Principal Deputy Speaker

Proposed:

That this Assembly agrees that there shall be a Principal Deputy Speaker and directs the Committee on Procedures, as its first priority, to table the necessary amendments to Standing Orders by 6 June 2011.

The following Member voted in both Lobbies and is therefore not counted in the result: Mr McClarty.

The Nomination was approved by parallel consent.

Northern Ireland Assembly

16 May 2011Divisions

Division No. 5

Proposed:

That this Assembly agrees that there shall be a Principal Deputy Speaker and directs the Committee on Procedures, as its first priority, to table the necessary amendments to Standing Orders by 6 June 2011.